Man City midfielder Fernandinho:

“Of course, any team that loses such a good player (Paul Pogba), they are going to miss him.

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“But Manchester United have good players and it doesn’t matter who is going to play in his position, they will do a good job. It will be a tough game for both teams.”

Man Utd midfielder Juan Mata:

“We think about the bigger picture and for us we have to keep up the pace and keep winning and winning. I remember a few seasons ago when United were ahead of City and then they won by (goal difference).

“It’s a crazy league and it’s too early to think that it’s finished.”

What’s our prediction?

The game of the season; the game to decide the season; first against second; Jose v Pep; The noisy city neighbours; even the Roundheads v the Cavaliers. It is all set for a cracker… or a damp squib with neither team wanting to take the risk of losing, although Guardiola would bridle at that, to win. It feels it is up to Mourinho to set the tone. But how brave will he be?
Jason Burt’s prediction: 2-2
Four classic Manchester derby encounters

Man Utd 0 Man City 1, April 1974

A bad-tempered Old Trafford affair ended in United’s relegation from the top flight with Denis Law’s late goal condemning his former club to the drop. Law’s instinctive back heel was the final touch of his career as he was immediately substituted and never played again. The former Reds hero looked heartbroken at what he had done, but United would have been relegated anyway after Birmingham beat Norwich in their final game of the campaign. The result stood after a pitch invasion prevented the final five minutes being played – but United returned to the top tier after a one-season stay in the old Second Division.

Manchester United vs Manchester City

Man Utd 4 Man City 3, September 2009

City’s summer spending – over £100 million on the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott and former United striker Carlos Tevez – lifted the derby to new heights with Reds’ boss Sir Alex Ferguson having complained of the “noisy neighbours”. In what turned out to be a cross-city classic, United took the lead three times only for the visitors to respond on each occasion. Wayne Rooney’s second-minute strike was cancelled out by Gareth Barry before two Darren Fletcher headers were countered by a Craig Bellamy brace, the second in the final minute after a Rio Ferdinand mistake. But City had no answer six minutes into ‘Fergie Time’ when Giggs found Michael Owen and the former Liverpool striker produced his most memorable moment in a United shirt.

Man Utd 1 Man City 6, October 2011

City’s claim to be genuine title contenders under Roberto Mancini went off the scale as Ferguson suffered what he described as his “worst ever day” in charge of United. It was revealed before kick-off a firework had gone off in Mario Balotelli’s house but that was nothing compared to the pyrotechnics at Old Trafford. Balotelli opened the scoring and celebrated by brandishing a t-shirt with “Why Always Me?” emblazoned on the front before Jonny Evans’ dismissal prompted City to run riot. Balotelli (again), Edin Dzeko (2), Sergio Aguero and David Silva scored with Fletcher’s reply the lamest of consolations. City were champions in May.